Uncle Damon’s POV Finally, the long awaited war was here. This was the time I was waiting for to unleash my plans and this time around I'm going to succeed with this. Having succeeded in pairing Karen with Nora, I have no doubts that my plan was going to click and it was going to follow that sequence until I ascended the throne. Pacing about my living room, I had my hands strapped across my chest as a smile played on my lips. “Your hardwork and resilience is gradually paying off.” Elder Richard said, eliciting a nod from me. With my gaze now fixated on him, I slowly lowered myself on the couch, leaning towards him with a smirk dancing on my lips. “Thanks to you, things are falling into place. I never expected Elder Tyler to show his support.” I laughed, clicking my tongue. “You can say that again. I was genuinely surprised when he attacked Nora. I had no idea that he would do something of that sort.” He chuckled. After a few minutes of silence, he clasped his hands and with h
Carlos' POVThis was a dream come through and I doubt if I was going to forget this in a hurry. Each time I think of it, I can't help but thank the moon goddess for making me cross paths with Damon. Now, it wasn't as if I wasn't going to find my way out of the pack even if it was going to take a lot of time and maybe I might not succeed. Smirking, I crossed my hands on my chest, staring into space with a look of satisfaction on my face. Justin was yet to join us from Lycan Kingdom even after three weeks of our successful escape. I sighed at the rate my plans were moving swiftly. I was grateful Justin had a change of heart and decided to help me out.Nora on the other hand kept to her promise of going to war with me. It was a tacit agreement she had with me and I knew better than anyone how ruthless she can be when crossed.Nevertheless, I had no regrets as I knew what was at stake before going up against her. I wasn't bothered by the war which was coming up in three days, rather, I
Elder Damon's POVThings kept moving on in the direction I wanted and I couldn't help but to thank my stars. Everything I had in mind to do was already planned out carefully and I doubt if there was going to be any flaw in my plans. My tools for destruction and launching of my plans were active not to talk of my spies who were loyal and were ready to do whatever I asked of them. After the secret meeting with Carlos, I returned home only to meet with one of my spies lurking around. “How long have you been waiting?” I asked, announcing my presence and at once he turned around and then did a curt bow. “I’m supposed to wait on you.” He replied as a bright smile spread across my lips. This was loyalty at the peak and I was already itching to get on the throne so the whole pack will bow to me and do my biddings.“We should talk inside.” I said, leading the way.A few minutes into our conversation, he le
Nora's POVIf only I knew that the noise from last night was when the palace was being infiltrated, I would have reacted immediately even though I was a bit weak.“Dammit!” I dug my teeth into my lips as I clenched my fists by my side. At the moment, I was in the throne room with the elders who were lamenting about the situation at hand. My parents were taken from the palace, leaving behind only a handful of us and a few maids and guards who were useless; thanks to the substance consumed the previous night. “This is an abomination. Whoever must have done this must be an insider enemy.” Elder Tyler yelled, pulling himself to his feet. With his finger pointed at the throne, he went further to say, “The throne had been defiled.” Taking a deep breath, I said, “You have to calm down as everything is under control.” Before he could part his lips and start rambling, I quickly added, “I sent tropes out to find my parents and the rest of the captives. They should join us soon.”My words w
Nora's POV It must have been over half an hour that we remained in the same position. While I bemoaned about my fate, Karen listened to me and he never ceased to comfort me but I couldn't be comforted. Justin had clearly stated in his letter that I was nothing but a weakling and I was the cause of the infiltration. His raw words were foreign to me as he had never said that to me before, but why now?This question kept ringing in my head but I had no answer to it. Then, there was Carlos, as sly as a fox. “If only I knew this was his plan all the while, I would have allowed him to leave the pack immediately he was hale and hearty.” I muttered, snapping my eyes shut. “Don't blame yourself, you did well. He is the one to be condemned as he took your kindness for granted making you look like a fool.” Karen said with a mild tone. “I'm not going to trust anyone, ever again. This is a lesson I learnt th
Elder Damon's POVEven though the motive of the war was met, I was not satisfied with the outcome as I felt it didn't go as planned. Nora was supposed to be killed at the Kingdom and not allowed to cross the borders but somehow, she and the army were able to defeat my army. “But the end result is still the same.” I smacked my lips, rubbing my palms in glee. With my hands folded behind me, I made my way out of my home and then began to head towards the palace, a bright smile on my face. The throne which I was always longing for was finally going to mine in a matter of hours. All I needed to do was to make sure the elders buy my ideas, in that way, they will have no choice but to listen to whatever I say and act accordingly. On arrival at the palace, I made my way to the throne room only to meet the elders seated with a mournful look on their faces. “Traitor.” Elder Tyler yelled, wielding his fingers at me.
Carlos’ POV Looking over my shoulders to ascertain no one was coming behind me, I quickly threw my hood over my head and then stole into the night.Walking hurriedly like someone was after my life, I made sure I kept on with this pace until I got to the borders. At first, I didn't see anyone but on a closer look, my eyes fell on a man dressed in black cloak. “Damon.” I called, hurrying to his side. Now a few feet away from him, I folded my hands in front of me and then did a curt bow. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Sneaking out of the palace became tedious.” I muttered. “You don't have to apologize. I just arrived too.” He said in a carefree tone, making me let out a relieved chuckle. “Thanks to you, everything is going on smoothly.” He said, with a shrug. “I'm just fulfilling my end of the bargain. I need to make sure everything goes on smoothly so at the end of it all no one would hold grudges.” I
Carlos' POV “Isn't the amount too much?” Justin asked, leaning over me. “The antidote will bring her back to life, don't worry.” I replied, pulling myself up.After a few minutes of staring at her motionless body, I began to walk towards my study only to halt all of a sudden. “What if they find out that the bodies don't belong to the royal family. I mean, the rogues… wouldn't they be identified?” I asked, my gaze fixated on Justin. Shrugging, he pushed his hands into his pockets, “I doubt if they are going to find out. Not when he already has plans to bury them.” For a moment, I went mute as I left my gaze on him.Cranking my head to the side, I tried to speak but words refused to form. “Why don't we administer the antidote to them? I’m scared something might happen to them if we keep delaying.” He ratted out and since I wasn't against his suggestion I began to trail after him. Getting to the physicia
THIRD POVNora walked away from them, her mind spinning with the sorceress's demand. Give herself up to save her children? The choice seemed both impossible and inevitable. She wandered through the trees, needing space to breathe, and to think.She found a fallen log a short distance from the cave entrance and sank down onto it. The forest around her was very quiet, as if even the birds and insects sensed the dark magic nearby. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her face, trying to hold back tears."They're discussing whether your life is worth saving the twins," a soft voice said from behind her.Nora looked up to find Elara standing there, her face partially shadowed by the trees."Elara," Nora said, quickly wiping her eyes. "I didn't hear you approach.""I move quietly," Elara replied with a slight smile. "It's a useful skill for a lady's maid."Nora nodded absently, her thoughts still with her children. "
THIRD POVElder Silvarum continued to talk about the sorceress and her relationship with Carlos and the twins, after everyone had slowly recovered from the shock. "The sorceress has powerful magic, but I believe we can track her.""How?" Griffin pushed off from the wall, suddenly interested."With blood," the elder replied simply. He turned to Carlos. "Alpha, although I don't possess sorcerer abilities myself, my bloodline carries ancient knowledge. And your blood will be the compass.""Whatever it takes to get my children back." "I can perform the tracking spell. I've done similar workings before," Katherine offered. "It's dangerous," Elder Silvarum warned. "The sorceress will have safeguards.""I don't care," Katherine replied dismissively. "Those are my niece's cubs."Carlos rolled up his sleeve and extended his arm. "Take what you need."Katherine glanced at Elder Silvarum, who nodded an
THIRD POV Two hours later, they gathered in the twins' bedroom. Nora had laid out their favorite possessions: Zack's toy sword, Zoe's stuffed wolf, their hair brushes still containing strands of dark hair. Her hands trembled as she arranged the items in the circle Kathryn had drawn on the floor."This should be enough," Kathryn said, kneeling beside the circle. She looked exhausted, dark circles prominent beneath her eyes. "But I need to warn you all. My powers have limits. Especially against someone like the sorceress.""Just try," Nora whispered.Griffin stood back near the doorway, watching the proceedings with a heavy heart. He knew better than anyone what the sorceress was capable of. The years he'd spent in her thrall had shown him the depths of her cruelty, and her power.Kathryn began to chant, her hands moving in intricate patterns above the circle. The air in the room grew heavy with magic, pressing against their skin like
THIRD PovNora fought, earnestly, not knowing which powers controlled her. Was this her hidden heritage or something new? As the fight became even more fierce, she struggled to keep watch over the kids.Not until, she smelled them and the danger around. Nora looked up sharply, her gaze fixed on two Ancients emerging, dragging small, struggling forms between them. Her blood ran cold as she recognized Zack and Zoe, their faces pale with terror as they fought against their captors' grip."Mom! Dad!" Zack shouted, his voice filled with fear."Let them go!" Nora screamed, light flaring around so fiercely that several nearby wolves whimpered and backed away. How dare these people touch her babies!As her anger filled the air, Nora heard the evil laughter of the sorceress. "Now, that's interesting. You've grown stronger than I anticipated. Perhaps those meddling fools didn't suppress your power as thoroughly as they thought."
Griffin Her questions were becoming annoying. I wished I could just ignore it. That perhaps you hope to earn her gratitude. Her affection." Kathryn's voice was gentle but firm. "If so, you should know it's unlikely. She loves Carlos, whatever problems they may have." "I'm not a fool," I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. "I know she loves him. I'm not doing this to win her over." "Then why?" I stared at the floor, struggling to articulate what drove me. "Because I failed her once before. I won't make that mistake again." Kathryn seemed satisfied with this answer. "Very well. I'll need time to prepare properly." I rose to leave, but paused at the door. "Kathryn... thank you." She shook her head. "Don't thank me yet. This may kill you more quickly than the sorceress's curse. Plus, I'm not assuring you that it is going to work." "At least it will be my choice," I said quietly. "For once." As I left the room, I felt the hunger gnawing at me again, stronger
GRIFFIN POVI felt it the moment it happened—a pulse of energy so distinct it nearly knocked me off my feet. I steadied myself against a tree, drawing in a sharp breath as recognition dawned.Nora had connected with her wolf.After all these years, after everything that had happened. She had found Reika again. Although it was a good thing, the implications were staggering—and terrifying. Those hungry powerful beings probably felt it too and their quest for Nora's blood would intensify. "Damn it," I muttered, pushing away from the tree and striding toward the pack house. Elder Silvarum needed to know immediately. Carlos too, though I doubted he'd take the news well.I'd barely made it halfway across the grounds when the first wave of pain hit. It started as a burning in my chest, then spread outward like wildfire through my veins. I stumbled, falling to my knees as my vision blurred."Griffin."The voice echoed in my mind, sickeningly familiar. The sorceress. My mistress. My curse."
NORA POVThe next one week flew by very peacefully. More peaceful than I ever expected. "Focus, Nora," Kathryn instructed, circling me as I struggled to maintain the small flame hovering above my palm. "You're letting your wolf nature interfere again."I gritted my teeth. "I don't have a wolf nature. That's the problem."Kathryn exchanged a glance with Elara, that same look they always shared when they thought I wasn't paying attention. It was infuriating."Your lycan blood is still part of you," she said carefully. "Even if you do not have a wolf. She looked down, busying herself with arranging crystals on the floor around me. I'd touched a nerve, I was sure of it."Whatever the case," Kathryn continued smoothly, "you need to separate your magical energy from your lycan energy. They conflict with each other."I'd been trying for days without success. The moment I called forth fire or water, I felt a resistance within me, as if something was fighting against the magic. My head would
NORA POVI woke with a gasp, my body jerking upright so violently that my kids nearly fell off the edge of the bed where they had been sitting.Silence stretched in the room for a long while. My kids hugged me, excited to finally have me back. After a while, Carlos came to sit beside me. "Nora!" His hands were on me instantly, checking for wounds that were no longer there. "Thank the Moon Goddess. You're awake."My head spun as memories flooded back —the attack in the forest, the children screaming, claws tearing into my flesh. I should be dead. By all rights, I should be dead.Carlos handed me a glass of cold water. "You need this." As I gulped the cool liquid, my eyes caught sight of something across the room a small form lying motionless on the floor, surrounded by my aunt. Blood pooled beneath her.The mute girl. "What happened?" I demanded, pushing the glass away. "Why is she bleeding?"Carlos followed my gaze, his expression grim. "She saved you. Took your wounds somehow."I
CARLOS POVMy heart stopped as I burst into the clearing. The scene before me was worse than anything I'd imagined.Nora lay in a growing pool of blood, surrounded by seven hooded figures. Their forms seemed to waver between solid and smoke, power radiating off them in waves that made my wolf recoil. Ancient beings. Powerful. Deadly."Get away from her!" I roared, my voice breaking with desperation.One of them turned slowly, revealing a face that wasn't quite human— eagyes too large, skin too pale. When it smiled, its teeth were needle-sharp."The mate arrives," it said, voice like breaking glass. "Just in time to watch her die."Rage exploded through me. I didn't care if they could kill me with a thought. I wouldn't let Nora die while I stood by. I charged forward, shifting mid-stride, claws extending as I leapt toward the nearest figure.I was still trying to think about my next move. I was confused about everything, and what step to take forward. But I was certain about one thing.